MasterChef Canada finale about more than just the prize

At 22, Eric Chong isn’t doing what most would expect. He’s a chemical engineer, but he really wants to be a chef. As of Monday morning, Chong is one step away from that dream. As one of the two finalists of Masterchef Canada, he is one challenge away from $100,000 and the Masterchef Canada trophy.

Across the kitchen is Marida Mohammed, a stay-at-home mom who left her daughter behind to chase her dreams.

After 14 episodes of grueling competition, the first season of Masterchef Canada is coming to an end. The contestants competed through a set of challenges, cooking for the show’s judges, Chef and restaurateur Claudio Aprile, Michael Bonacini, co-creator of the Oliver & Bonacini restaurant empire, and “Demon Chef” Alvin Leung.

Both contestants are competing for more than just the prize.

Even after making it this far, Chong’s family doesn’t fully support his desire to be a chef. “They’d still like me to be an engineer,” he said. “But coming this far, they see I really want it and actually have the talent to be in the kitchen.”

Mohammed auditioned with her sister. She made it, but her sister did not. “She’s been my biggest fan so far, the 31-year-old said. “We like to say that when one of us experiences something the two of us experience it together.”

Mohammed left more than just her sister behind. As a stay-at-home mom, Mohammed had to leave behind her daughter too. “I’m just reminding myself, every other parent has the opportunity to go to work, my work was just a little bit longer.”

Chong wasn’t always a front runner. At times he seemed out of control in the Masterchef Canada kitchen.

“I’m surprised was able to control his lightning energy. Now he seems to be harnessing that energy,” said Aprile.

“I’ve never been in so much stress,” Chong said. “At first it was hard to manage my time. There was so much on the line. Near the end I started gaining confidence. Like, ‘man, I’ve beaten so many home cooks; maybe I can actually do this.’”

Mohammed didn’t impress all the judges on her first go.

“During the audition I said no to [Mohammed], and here she is. She`s done incredibly well,” said Bonacini.

Aprile said the show is “really the world cup of cooking for home cooks. And when you get to that stage, even in the top 50, you have to be good at what you do. And certainly when you get to the top four, these are the Maradonas, the Pelles, the top home cooks right now.”

Chong learned the basics of Chinese Cuisine from his grandfather. But Chong knew he would need to cook more than just Chinese food if he wanted to win Masterchef Canada.

“YouTube is a great tool, Google. Any time I want to learn how to cook something, I just use the Internet,” he said. “Before I came on the show I wanted to learn how to make fresh pasta. So I researched and just practiced and eventually I could make fresh pasta.”

Mohammed also learned from her family. Her parents and grandparents taught her the flavours of the Caribbean. Her uncle taught her to cook Chinese food. Her friends filled in the rest.

Last Monday CTV announced that Masterchef Canada had been renewed for a second season. The show has been averaging 1.7 million viewers, making it the most-watched Canadian series.

Casting is now open until 11:59pm ET on July 13.

The judges have some advice for prospective contestants.

“In order to hone your craft, you must go out to eat. Read, cook at home, all of the above,” Aprile said.

Bonacini agreed. “If you want to be a home cook in the upcoming season you have to totally immerse yourself in it.”

“For me the most important thing is to watch the show,” said Leung. “You learn so much from watching the show.”

Mohammed said contestants should be ready to focus for a gruelling competition. “I would say prepare yourself for going into this competition like it’s your job. You need to go in there ready to cook with passion, and keep your game face on and focus on the food.”

“Don’t underestimate it,” added Chong. “Practise your knife skills, time yourself, and try to anticipate what’s going to be thrown at you. It’s Masterchef Canada so you know it’s going to be Canadian ingredients.”

Both contestants added that they had trouble adjusting to the clock.

“The thing that made me centre myself was knowing that I was in a kitchen. Oh. I’m at home. Just cook like I’m at home,” said Mohammed.